Disappearing grave marker



Nov. l, 1932. P. PEREAU 'DISAPPEARING GRAVE MARKER Filed Oct. 30, 1931 I Il IIIA .farzffjoereaz .NVENTOR Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PARIS P-EREAU, or EXEaER, CALIFORNIA DIsArrEAnINe GRAVE MRKER i Application mea october ao, 1931. serial No. '572,155.f

This invention relates to grave markers, and its general object is to provide a grave marker that includes a disappearing name plate adapted to be arranged above the ground 5 in full view, except when it is desired to cut or mow the grave, and in that event the name plate can be disposed within the remaining portion of the marker, the remaining portion being arranged below the surface of the ground with the result the marker will not interfere with care of the grave, but will properly mark the latter.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide a grave marker of the character set .forth that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and extremely eflicient in operation and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, refer- I ence will be had to the accompanying draw-l ing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the grave "9 marker which forms the subject matter of the present invention. Figure 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. w Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 1 indicates the rear plate for my marker, and 2 the front plate. These plates are identical in shape and are of substantially paddle formation.

Each of the plates have formed with the side edges thereof flanges and the flanges for the front plate are indicated by the reference numeral 3 while the flanges of the rea-r plate are indicated by the reference numeral 4.

These flanges are disposed in contacting engagement as best shown in Figure 3 and act l" to hold the plates in spaced parallel relation ,to provide a chamber;

The .flanges 4 have their outer edges bent at right angles upon themselves for engagement with the outer surface of the front :plate for the purpose of securing theplates in cooperative association 55 to provide the bodyvof the device.

Due to the substantially paddle formation, it lwill be noted that such forms an enlargedV substantially rectangular upper portionA for `receiving the name plate 5 which may be of any suitable construction but is preferably of .picture frame formation with inwardly flared flanges 6 as best shown in Figure 2. The name plate is of a size and shape to snugly fit within the upper portion and is mounted for slidable movement therein. Extending downwardly from the name plate is an arm 7v having flanges formed with the side edges thereof as lwell as with'the bottom, `and Vthe bottom flange is indicated by the reference `numeral 8. f

The lower portion of the body of the device is tapered and disposed therein with its upper end arranged at the juncture ofthe upper portion is a bracket 9 having formed with its upper end a tongue 10 to which is fixed one of the ends of acoil spring 11 while the opposite end of thecoil spring is secured to the bottom flange 8 ofthe arm 7. f ,A

Formed with the lower edge of the bracket 9 are spaced parallel ears 12 between which -80 passes the coil spring 11 and these ears 12 act inthe capacity as stop means arranged in the path'of the bottom flange to limit the upward movement vof the name plate as will be apparent upon inspection of Figures 1 and 2.

By this construction, it will be obvious that the grave marker can be inserted in the ground to an extent whereby the entire body portion is embedded, and the coil spring 11 will normally urge and hold the name plate to its elevated position as best shown in Figure 1, but when it is desired to secure the name plate withinthe upper portion of the body, the name plate is moved downwardly against the tension of the coil spring and is held in the body through the instrumentality of a spring latch 13 which includes a finger piece 14 and a keeper piece 15, the latter being capable of being arranged over the top of the name plate for holding the same withim' in the upper portion. However, when it is desired to allow the name plate to be disposed to its elevated position, pressure upon the finger piece will release the keeper and the coil spring will elevate the name plate from the dotted line position to the full line position as shown in Figure 2.

When the name plate is disposed to its dotted line position as shown in Figure 2, it will be apparent that itis arranged below the surface of the ground, with the r'esult'thegrave can be mowed without interference by the marker.

It is thought fromthe foregoing descripi tion that the advantages and novel features ofmy invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

y1. A grave marker comprising a hollow body, an enlarged upper portion included `in said body, a tapered lower portion, a name plate mounted for movement into and out of the enlarged upper portion, an arm formed with said name plate and eXtendingint-o the lower portion, a coil spring secured within said body and to the arm respectivelvfor urging the name plate to its outer position, and a latching means for securing thename plate in its inner position.

2. A grave marker comprising a lhollow body including an enlarged upper portion and a Vtapered lower portion, a name plate mounted for slidable movement into and out of the enlarged upper portion, an arm formed with said name plate, a bracket disposed within the lower portion, a coil spring'having oneend secured to said bracket andiits opposite end -fixed to the arm to urge the name plate to its outer position, stop means formed with said arm and bracket for 'limiting the outward movement-of the name plate and latch means for securing the-name plate within the enlarged upper portion.

In testimony whereof I affix mv signature.

PARIS PEREAU. 

